Fluid level indicator



Oct. 3, 1944. -T. 'P. MCCLOSKEY, JR

FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Jan. 10, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Attorneys Oct. 3, 1944. T. P. M cLosKEY, JR 2,359,658

FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Jan. 10, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Oct. 3, 1944. T. P. M cLosKEY, JR I 2,359,658

.FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Jan. 10, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor 720mm; P/V' Q 03 A1631 J2 WWW Patented Oct. 3, 1 944 UNITED STATES PATENTFOFFYI'CE 2,359,658 Y FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR" Thomas P. McCloskey, Jr. Anniston, Mo.

Application January 10, 1944, Serial No. 517,712

fzcla'im mus-317) x The present invention relates tonew and useful improvements in fluid level indicators, particularly for the crankcases of internal combustion engines, although it will be understood, of course, that the device may be used for any other purpose for which it may be found adapted and desirable. I r

The primary object of 'the invention is to provide, in a fluid level indicator of the type comprising a pressure responsivegauge, novel floatoperated means for varying the pressure to said gauge in accordance with the rise or fall of the level of the fluid.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid level indicator of the character described which may be expeditiously and accurately adjusted to meet various conditions.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a fluid level indicator of the character set forth which may be installed for operation in an engine crankcase or other container without the necessity of making material structural alterations therein.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved fluid level indicator which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing an indicator constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted on the crankcase of an internal combustion engine.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fi ure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the crankcase, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1. 7

Figure 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fi ure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a view in horizontal section through the pump unit.

Figure '7 is a vertical sectional view through the pump unit, taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a cross sectionalviw, taken sub stantially on the line 88 of Figure '7. I

Referring now tothe drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pump unit which is designated generally by reference numeral I, said pump unit being mounted in an engine crankcase 2. The unit l includes dupli} cate gear pumps 3 and 4, the latter for forcing lubricating oil fromthe crankcase 2 through the usual pressure lubricating system of the'engine. The unit I further includes a, drive shaft 5 which is common to the pumps} and 4, said drive shaft having fixed thereon a gear 6. The gear 8 may be drivenin any suitable manner from the cam shaft of the engine.

Communicating with the outlet 7 of the pump l for receiving the oil or the fluid therefrom is a 7 pressure chamber 8 in the form of an elbow.

The outlet end of the pressure chamber I is connected tothe crankcase 2 by an elbow 9. A pressure-responsive gauge l0, located at any suitable point, is connected to the pressure chamber 8 by a line I l. Rising from the pressure chamber 8 is an adjustable relief valve l2 which discharges into the crankcase 2, as at I3.

The elbow 9 constitutes the body or casing of a pressure control valve-which is designated gen- .erally by reference numeral H. The valve II, in

the embodiment shown, includes a rotary core or plug l5 which is Journaled transversely in the member 9 and which has fixed therein a shaft II which projects rotatably into the crankcase 2- through the adjacent side wall thereof. A passage (see Fig. 4) .is provided in the rotary core I5 for the flow of fluid from the pressure chamber 8. A washer or gasket I8 is provided on the shaft i 6 for preventing leakage between the inner end of the core l5 and ,the opposed side wall of the crankcase 2.

Mounted on the innerend portion of the valve shaft It for vertical swinging movement in the crankcase 2 is a longitudinally adjustable or extensible arm IS. A float 2| is provided on the free end of the extensible arm l8.

Also fixed on the valve shaft l6, adjacentthe side wall of the crankcase 2, is a relatively short arm 22. Adjustable stops 23 are mounted in the crankcase 2 for engagement by the arm 22 for positively limiting swinging movement of the float 2| in opposite dire -tions. 4

It is thought that the operation of the. device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, when the oil in the crankcase 2 is at the correct level, float 2| is in 7 by and oil is drawnthe crankcaseis J escapes from-the pressure and the gauge l0 7 gauge 10. In this manner may be accurately ascertained by simply observ ing thegauge 10.

the valve I4 is closed. With the pump 3 is driven therefrom the crankcase 2 into said pump 3 through the intake 24 thereof. This oil enters the chamber I from the'pump I under pressure. However, as the valve his closed, maximum pressureis exerted by the oil on the gauge ll through theline II for indicating that full orsubstantially so. The oil chamber 8 andreturns 2 through the relief valve II. the oil in the crankcase raised position and the engine running,

to the crankcase However, as the level of drops, the float 2| is lowered. Thus, the valve ll is partially opened, as suggestedin Figure 4 oi the drawings, and the pressur is lowered in What is claimed 155 a 1 In combination with a container for the re- I ception of a fluid, a fluid level indicator including a pressure chamber having an inlet and an 7 outlet communicatingwith the container, means; in the container connected to the inlet for forcing fluid under pressure into the chamber from said container, a pressure-responsive gauge cone nected to the chamber, a valve controlling the outlet {mm the chamber to the container, a float for actuating the valve operable in the container, and a-reliei valve connecting thepressure chamber to the container.

the chamber 0, which pressure drop is registered by the gauge l0. As the I continue to drop, the valve 5 is opened wider the pressure in the chamber 0. It will accordingly beseen that the level 01' the oil in the crankcontinues to show the fall of case 2 controls or regulates the pressure to the the level of the ;oil

advantages of a fluid level indicator constructed in accordance It is believed that the'many' the device is as illustrated and described, it isto be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of .parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope oi the invention as claimed.

' with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of 2. The combination .with an engine crankcase for thereception of lubricating oil, of an oil level indicator comprising a pump mounted in the crankcase andhaving its intake side communieating therewith for receiving oil therefrom, a'

mounted on the crankcase and communicating with the outlet side of the pump pressure chamber for receiving the oil under pressure therefrom, an elbow connecting the pressure chamber to the crankcase for returning the oil to said crankcase, a rotary valve in theelbow ,for controlling the flow of oil therethrough from the pressure chamber to'the crankcase, a float for actuating the valve operable. in the crankcase, a pressure-re sponsive gauge connected to thepressure chamber, and a relief valve connecting the pressure chamber to. the crankcase.

THOMAS-P. 'Jn. 

